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Types of group messages

The three types of group messages that you might see are: group iMessage, group MMS, and group SMS. The Messages app automatically chooses the type of group message to send based on you and your recipients' settings, network connection, and carrier plan. For example:

If you and your recipients are using Apple devices and iMessage is turned on, then the group message is sent as an iMessage.

If you send a group message to people who aren't using iMessage, then the message is sent as an MMS or SMS message.

Give the group a name, add or remove people from the group, mute notifications, or leave the group

Group MMS

These messages appear in green text bubbles and go through your carrier instead of Apple. In a group MMS, everyone can:

Send and receive photos and videos

See all responses from the group

Mute notifications

Group SMS

These messages also appear in green text bubbles and go through your carrier. Group SMS messages don’t support multimedia attachments, like photos or videos. All responses in a Group SMS are sent as individual text messages and the recipients can’t see the other responses from the group.

Send a group message

To send a group MMS message on an iPhone, make sure MMS Messaging is turned on. Go to Settings > Messages and turn on MMS Messaging.

If you don’t see an option to turn on MMS Messaging or Group Messaging, contact your carrier to see if your plan supports Group MMS Messaging.

You won't see read receipts in group messages.

Respond to a group iMessage with Tapback

You can use Tapback to quickly reply to messages with expressions, like a thumbs up or heart. To reply with a Tapback:

Open Messages, and tap a group conversation.

Double-tap a message bubble or photo.

Tap one of the six responses that appear to reply to the message.

To see who sent a Tapback, just tap on the Tapback.

Name your group conversation

Have multiple group iMessages? Name your group iMessages so they're easier to find. To name your group:

Tap a group conversation, then tap the top of the conversation.

Tap .

Tap Enter a Group Name.

Enter a name, then tap Done.

You can name only group iMessages, not MMS group messages.

Add or remove someone from a group conversation

Anyone in a group iMessage can add or remove someone from the conversation. You can remove a person from a group iMessage that has at least three other people. You can’t add or remove people from group MMS messages or group SMS messages.

Add a person

Tap the group conversation that you want to add someone to.

Tap the top of the group conversation.

Tap , then tap Add Contact.

Enter the contact information for the person you want to add. Then tap Done.